Previous Grant Selections

2023

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda delivers $8.9 million for cooperative watershed management (July 2, 2024) - The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an $8.9 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to protect watershed health and build more resilient water supplies across the West. Funding will support 6 new cooperative projects and 12 existing cooperative projects in 12 states, bringing together diverse stakeholders to develop solutions that meet local water management needs. Read More →

2022

Watershed groups receive $3.8 million to collaboratively address water management issues (September 14, 2022) - The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $3.8 million to 21 groups to create or expand watershed groups. WaterSMART's Cooperative Watershed Management Program brings diverse stakeholders together to develop local solutions for their water management needs. Read More →

2021

Reclamation awards $2.6 million for Western communities to establish or expand watershed groups (June 15, 2021) - The Bureau of Reclamation is awarding $2.6 million to 27 communities in the Western United States to establish or expand existing watershed management groups through WaterSMART's Cooperative Watershed Management Program. Each group is eligible for up to $50,000 a year for two years with no federal cost-share required. Read More →

Reclamation provides $2.1 million for collaborative watershed projects in seven western states (March 25, 2021) - The Bureau of Reclamation will provide $2.1 million for 11 collaborative watershed management projects through the WaterSMART program. These projects have been developed by groups of stakeholders working together to address critical water supply needs and water quality concerns. They help water users meet competing demands and avoid conflicts over water. Read More →

2020

Reclamation provides $2.8 million for watershed group development and restoration planning (March 16, 2020) - The Bureau of Reclamation has selected 29 projects to receive $2.8 million to complete watershed group development, watershed restoration planning and watershed management project design. The funding is shared with groups across 12 states, including groups in Alaska and Hawaii, who are receiving funding for the first time through this program. Read More →

2019

Reclamation funds local watershed projects in Montana, Oklahoma and Idaho (August 8, 2019) - The Bureau of Reclamation will provide a total of $331,792 to three groups who will undertake collaborative, on-the-ground watershed management projects. The funding will help address critical water supply needs, water quality concerns, restoration needs, meet competing demands and avoid conflicts over water. The Reclamation funding will be leveraged to support $1.2 million in watershed management improvements. Read More →

2018

Bureau of Reclamation provides 27 projects $2.6 million in WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Grants (July 10, 2018) - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman announced that 27 entities were selected to receive a total of $2.6 million to establish or further develop watershed groups in order to address water quantity or quality through Cooperative Watershed Management Program Grants. Of the 27 entities selected, 19 are existing watershed groups, including one from the Virgin Islands, and 8 are establishing a new watershed group. Read More →

2017

Bureau of Reclamation Awards $664,754 for WaterSMART Watershed Management Projects in Five States (June 21, 2017) - Bureau of Reclamation Acting Commissioner Alan Mikkelsen announced that Reclamation has awarded $664,754 to seven entities to implement watershed management projects. The funding will be used for projects that enhance water conservation, improve water quality and ecological resilience, reduce water conflicts, and advance goals related to water quality and quantity. Read More →

2016

Eleven Organizations to Establish or Further Develop Cooperative Watershed Management Groups in the West (June 27, 2016) - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Estevan López announced $876,565 in funding through the WaterSMART Program for eleven projects that will establish or further develop watershed management groups. Those groups are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Oregon. Read More →

2014

Six Organizations to Establish or Expand Watershed Activities Using Key Funding Assistance from Reclamation (August 21, 2014) - Bureau of Reclamation Acting Commissioner Lowell Pimley announced that $496,337 in WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding will be made available for six groups to establish or expand a watershed group. Those groups are located in California, Colorado, Montana and New Mexico. Read More →

2013

Reclamation Selects Five Entities to Receive $485,423 to Establish or Expand Existing Watershed Groups (August 21, 2013) - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor announced today that five entities in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon will receive a total of $485,423 to establish or expand watershed groups. The selected entities will use the funding to address water quality, ecosystem and endangered species issues. Read More →

2012

Reclamation Selects Eight Entities to Receive $333,500 (September 5, 2012) - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor announced today the selection of eight entities to receive $333,500 in grants under the WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program. These grants will aid in the establishment and expansion of local watershed management groups. Read More →